Bible Question:

Can I be forgiven for taking God's name in vain?

Bible Answer:

There is great confusion about the third commandment which commands us to not take the Lord’s name in vain. Some teach that there are many different ways to violate this commandment and they provide long lists of rules that they believe need to be kept in order to avoid violating the commandment. But the commandment is simple and a long list of rules is not needed because the scriptures do not give us a long list. The scripture simply gives us a principle to follow. That makes it easier for us to keep the commandment.

Meaning of the Third Command

The third commandment is found in Exodus 20:7. The key to understanding the meaning of this commandment is to understand the word “vain” which occurs two times in this verse.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Exodus 20:7 (NASB)

The Hebrew word that is translated as “vain” in Exodus 20:7 is saw and it means “vain, emptiness, nothingness or falsehood.” Thus the Hebrew word has the sense of nothingness or falsehood. Therefore the third command is a prohibition against making God appear to be empty, nothing or less than He is. It refers to robbing God of His glory.

How To Take God’s Name In Vain

The scriptures give us some examples of how we can take God’s name in vain or we should say rob God of His glory. Leviticus 19:12 is the first example,

And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:12 (NASB)

Here we are told to not falsely swear or make a false oath by God’s name. If we do profane God’s name. The reason that a false oath made in God’s name is prohibited is that it reflects on God’s character. Since the oath is false, the one making the oath does not plan to fulfill it. When the oath is not fulfilled it, reflects on God’s character.

That is why Jesus warned us to not swear falsely in Matthew 5:33–37. He also told us to not swear by heaven since God is there.

A second example occurs in Leviticus 24:11–16. In this passage we are told that a son of an Israelite woman “blasphemed theName and cursed.” The rest of the passage reveals that cursing and blaspheming described the offense. These are not two sins but just one. The curse involved brings dishonor to God. It should be noted that we are not told what the son said.

A third example reveals that we can violate the third command when we question God’s existence or sin.

That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30:9 (NASB)

In each example we see that a violation of the third commandment occurs when God is dishonored. That is, when God is declared to be “nothing or empty.” Other key passages about swearing in God’s name are Deuteronomy 5:11; Psalm 50:14–16 and Hebrews 6:16-7.

Conclusion:

We have discovered taking the name of the Lord in vain is more than a swear that includes the name “God, “Jesus” or “Christ. Taking the name of the Lord in vain is bringing dishonor upon God. Swearing is implying that God is nothing or emptiness. A statement that implies that God is less than faithful, less than merciful, less than loving or less than any of His attributes is a violation of the third commandment.

Now will God forgive someone who takes the name of the Lord in vain, that is, declares that God is not who He truly is? The answer depends upon what the person meant. If the person has completely rejected God, then that person will never be forgiven since they have rejected the God who can forgive them. If they have finally and ultimately rejected Jesus Christ, then they will never be forgiven.

But if the person is a Christian and in anger brought dishonor to God by a word or some sin, then that sin has already been forgiven since the person is already a Christians. Romans 8:1 teaches us that there is no more condemnation for Christians. Yet, that sin needs to be confessed in order to repair the relationship with God. 1 John 1:9 teaches us to repent and 1 John 2:1 reveals that Christ protects us. Therefore, if Christians take the name of the Lord in vain, they are not in danger of going to hell or the lake of fire since all of their sins were forgiven when they became a Christian. Yet, they need to confess the sin in order to restore their relationship with God.

To The Glory of Christ

Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me . . . Jeremiah 9:23-24